I have been home and enjoying Long Island. I continue to go to Push to Walk in New Jersey for therapy at least once a week. They make me stand and, with the help of a walker, therapists move my legs in a walking motion so I can walk across the room. Recently I did this on a treadmill with the help of a harness. My therapist told me he felt my leg muscles doing more of the work. I was happy to hear this and it encouraged me. Therapists also put me on a standing frame with a glider. I work on my core strength and balance. I have purchased a standing frame for home and expect delivery soon. I will then be able to use it more often as a therapy tool.

In March I had a medication pump implanted in my abdomen. I was taking medication to reduce my spasms and tone orally but the side effect of drowsiness was too great. I now get a smaller dosage of Baclofen throughout the day and feel much better with reduced spasms and tone as well. I also had another round of Botox injections, this time in my bladder to reduce spasms. These medical treatments have taken much time to achieve but have been successful.

Driving is my next goal. I am going to an accessibility trade show in New Jersey this month. I will investigate the automobiles and wheelchairs. I need to decide if a car or a van will best suit my needs. I also want to check other new technologies now available.

Spring seems to be here and I eagerly await the warm weather. Even though there was not much snow, I found the cold weather very uncomfortable. This was my first winter after my injury. Spasms and tone are less of a problem in a warmer climate.

I continue to be thankful for the unfailing support of family and friends.

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Jan 10, 2016

JANUARY 2016 UPDATE

Today is January 10, 2016--the first anniversary of my date of injury. My family and I have been anticipating this day and our response to the anniversary. We have chosen to make it a day of reflection and celebration. I am blessed that I survived the accident and have begun a strong recovery and have a second chance to appreciate life. I am very happy to report that yesterday at Push to Walk (physical therapy in New Jersey where I starting going in the fall and just again resumed after returning from Atlanta) I pulled myself up to a walker and with the help of therapists moving my legs, I crossed the room upright. I have put some pictures of this in my photo album. It felt great that I was able to sustain being upright and that my legs did not buckle and collapse beneath me. This was an important step to stimulate my brain and body in the memory of walking.

I realize that I still have a very long, slow process ahead of me. But my goal still remains the fullest recovery possible. I continue this month to return to Johns Hopkins to work with my doctor there to address spasms and tone by using Botox injections in my legs. I plan on acquiring a standing frame so I can strengthen my ability to stand up and maintain core balance. Keeping my blood pressure stable is an on-going challenge which I hope will improve as I continue to shift from sitting to standing positions on a regular basis. And I will continue working with local physical therapists.

As I reflect on this past year, I know full well that it has taken a village to help and support me and my family. So many people in so many ways have joined us in this journey. Acts of kindness, compassion and expertise have been far too many to list but each one is recognized and deeply appreciated. I know that one lesson my son has learned (as well as my wife and I) from my accident is that life is precious and people are good. Thank you to all, especially to Fran and Christopher.

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Jan 03, 2016

DECEMBER 2015 Update

I am spending the month of December in Atlanta at the Shepherd Center. I am doing 20 hours per week intensive physical therapy for my core and legs in the program called...

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Nov 01, 2015

NOVEMBER 2015 Update

My big accomplishment in October was Botox injections for leg spasms and tone. It has helped. I will now be returning to Baltimore to address my neck. I am going to be...

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Oct 17, 2015

OCTOBER 2015 Update

After spending a couple of months here in Long Island doing therapy, I went to the Kennedy Krieger International Institute for Spinal Cord Injury to consult with a doctor...

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Aug 21, 2015

On the home front for rehab & recoveryAUGUST 2015 Update

Upon my second return from Shepherd Center, Fran and I visited numerous rehab centers on Long Island. To our surprise, we found two...

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Aug 16, 2015

On the home front for rehab and recoveryJULY 2015 Update

I finished therapy at St. Charles at the end of June and headed back to Atlanta for more intensive work at the Shepherd Center. I...

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May 29, 2015

On the home front for rehab and recoveryJUNE 2015 Update

I am finally settled in and have routines in place. I go to physical therapy at St. Charles in Albertson three days a week. They do...

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May 05, 2015

On the home front for rehab and recoveryMAY 2015 Update

I am adjusting to being home again. It is a different perspective as I am seeing things around me in a seated position. Also, I just...

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Apr 27, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update From the Shepherd Center, In-Patient April 2015

Week #12

I am home at last! It feels fabulous to be here with Fran, Christopher, and Sadie. Sadie is our dog. I have...

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Apr 19, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #11

This was my last full week at Shepherd. The highlight of my week was going to Atlanta airport for an entire day outing. Shepherd arranged with Delta airlines...

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Apr 15, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #10

It was a bittersweet week as my fellow patient and new friend Kent left Shepherd Center to go home to his family. He and I spent many hours together...

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Apr 08, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #9

Thank you to all my supporters who have written messages to me in the guest book. I read them all. Your expressions of concern, compassion and encouragement...

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Mar 31, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #8

I played ping pong today in my wheel chair--table tennis for you true fans. I played with my therapist. We had a bet; if I won, she had to push my wheel chair...

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Mar 22, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #7

Played tennis again in my chair and was able to hit more balls over the net. I have been doing some stretching exercises (done in the bed, easy to imitate when...

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Mar 15, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #6

Tennis any one? Game on this week! I had rec therapy and was given a tennis racket to play with and put into a sports wheel chair--large wheels set on an...

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Mar 08, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #5

Another hectic week of therapy at Shepherd. I was fitted to use the locomotive equipment on the third floor. This is a robotic fitted onto my legs so that I...

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Feb 28, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #4

Survived another week at Shepherd! This week my therapist put me on the "tilting table." The purpose of this table is to put your entire body weight on your...

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Feb 21, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week # 3

It's been 6 weeks since the injury and completed 3 weeks here at Shepherd. Happy, welcomed news when Dr. Murry stopped by room to tell me that my neck brace...

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Feb 21, 2015

Arvind's Weekly Update

Week #2

Physical therapy has become more rigorous. From 9am to 4pm I can be found doing occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and recreational...

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Feb 19, 2015

Week #2 UpdatePhysical therapy has become more rigorous. From 9am to 4pm I can be found doing occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and recreactional therapy! By the end of...

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Feb 19, 2015

Week #1 Update from the Shepherd Center, In-Patient January 2015Arrived off the medevac at the start of this week, completely dependent on others. Rehab began immediately, sort of a light start...